U.S. patent application number 13/148842 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-22 for information processing apparatus, information processing system, information processing method and program storage medium.
Invention is credited to Masaya Fujiwaka.
Application Number | 20110314076 13/148842 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42634006 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110314076 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fujiwaka; Masaya |
December 22, 2011 |
INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM,
INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD AND PROGRAM STORAGE MEDIUM
Abstract
In order that the application in the client terminal can be used
continuously without being suspended temporarily, an information
processing apparatus includes first processing means and a second
processing section. That is, the information processing apparatus
communicates via a network with a server including a first
processing section of second processing means which including the
first and the second processing section. The first processing means
switches processing means which executes an application to either
of the first or the second processing means. The second processing
section executes a processing received from the first processing
section, in case that the processing means is switched from the
first processing means to the first processing section.
Inventors: |
Fujiwaka; Masaya; (Tokyo,
JP) |
Family ID: |
42634006 |
Appl. No.: |
13/148842 |
Filed: |
February 16, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
February 16, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2010/052587 |
371 Date: |
August 10, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/201 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 67/42 20130101;
G06F 11/1433 20130101; G06F 11/2038 20130101; H04L 67/1095
20130101; G06F 11/2025 20130101; G06F 11/2028 20130101; G06F
11/1482 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/201 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/16 20060101
G06F015/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 19, 2009 |
JP |
2009036483 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. An information processing apparatus which communicates via a
network with a server including a first processing section of a
second processing unit which includes the first processing section
and a second processing section, the information processing
apparatus comprising: a first processing unit; and the second
processing section, wherein the first processing unit switches a
processing unit which executes an application to either of the
first or the second processing unit, and the second processing
section executes a processing received from the first processing
section, in case that the processing unit is switched from the
first processing unit to the first processing section.
22. The information processing apparatus according to claim 21,
wherein the first processing unit synchronizes data concerning the
application with the server in case that the processing unit is
switched from the first processing unit to the second processing
unit and in case that the processing unit is switched from the
second processing unit to the first processing unit.
23. The information processing apparatus according to claim 21,
wherein switching from the first processing unit to the second
processing unit is performed in case that a collected information
satisfies a predetermined condition.
24. The information processing apparatus according to claim 21,
wherein the first processing unit executes a processing other than
the application in case that the first processing unit switches the
processing unit from the first processing unit to the second
processing unit.
25. The information processing apparatus according to claim 24,
wherein switching from the first processing unit to the second
processing unit is performed in case of updating an operating
system or a middleware executed by the first processing unit, and
the first processing unit updates the operating system or the
middleware as a processing other than the application.
26. The information processing apparatus according to claim 24,
wherein switching from the first processing unit to the second
processing unit is performed in case that abnormality occurs to an
operating system or a middleware executed by the first processing
unit, and the first processing unit executes a recovery processing
from the abnormality as a processing other than the
application.
27. An information processing apparatus which communicates via a
network with a client terminal including a first processing unit,
the information processing apparatus comprising: a first processing
section which is included in a second processing unit including the
first processing section and a second processing section, wherein
the first processing section switches a processing unit which
executes an application to either of the first or the second
processing unit based on a direction from the client terminal, and
the first processing section transmits a part of a processing to
the client terminal in case that the processing unit is switched
from the first processing unit to the second processing unit.
28. The information processing apparatus according to claim 27,
wherein data concerning the application is synchronized with the
client terminal in case that the processing unit is switched from
the first processing unit to the second processing unit and in case
that the processing unit is switched from the second processing
unit to the first processing unit.
29. The information processing apparatus according to claim 27,
wherein switching from the first processing unit to the second
processing unit is performed in case that a collected information
satisfies a predetermined condition.
30. The information processing apparatus according to claim 27,
wherein switching from the first processing unit to the second
processing unit is performed in case of updating an operating
system or a middleware executed by the first processing unit.
31. The information processing apparatus according to claim 27,
wherein switching from the first processing unit to the second
processing unit is performed in case that abnormality occurs to an
operating system or a middleware executed by the first processing
unit.
32. An information processing apparatus which communicates via a
network with a server including a first processing section of a
second processing means which includes the first processing section
and a second processing section, the information processing
apparatus comprising: first processing means; and the second
processing section, wherein the first processing means switches
processing means which executes an application to either of the
first or the second processing means, the second processing section
executes a processing received from the first processing section,
in case that the processing means is switched from the first
processing means to the first processing section.
33. An information processing apparatus which communicates via a
network with a client terminal including a first processing means,
the information processing apparatus comprising: a first processing
section which is included in a second processing means including
the first processing section and a second processing section,
wherein the first processing section switches processing means
which executes an application to either of the first or the second
processing means based on a direction from the client terminal, the
first processing section transmits a part of a processing to the
client terminal in case that the processing means is switched from
the first processing means to the second processing means.
34. An information processing system comprising: a client terminal,
and a server which is the information processing apparatus
according to claim 27, wherein said client terminal is the
information processing apparatus which communicates via a network
with a server including a first processing section of a second
processing unit which includes the first processing section and a
second processing section, the information processing apparatus
comprising: a first processing unit; and the second processing
section, wherein the first processing unit switches a processing
unit which executes an application to either of the first or the
second processing unit, and the second processing section executes
a processing received from the first processing section, in case
that the processing unit is switched from the first processing unit
to the first processing section.
35. An information processing method, in which a client terminal
and a server communicate via a network and the client terminal
includes a first processing unit and a second processing section
which is included a second processing unit including a first
processing section and the second processing section and the server
includes the first processing section, the information processing
method comprising: switching a processing unit for executing an
application to either of the first or the second processing unit;
and executing, by the second processing section, a processing
received from the first processing section in case that the
processing unit is switched from the first processing unit to the
first processing section.
36. The information processing method according to claim 35,
wherein synchronizing data concerning the application between the
client terminal and the server, in case that the processing unit is
switched from the first processing unit to the second processing
unit and in case that the processing unit is switched from the
second processing unit to the first processing unit.
37. The information processing method according to claim 35,
wherein executing, by the first processing unit, a processing other
than the application, in case that the processing unit is switched
from the first processing unit to the second processing unit.
38. A storage medium storing a program which makes an information
processing apparatus, which communicates via a network with a
server including a first processing section of a second processing
unit including a first processing section and the second processing
section and includes a first processing unit and the second
processing section, perform, a processing performed by the
information processing apparatus comprising: a processing which
switches a processing unit which executes an application to either
of the first or the second processing unit; and a processing in
which the second processing section executes a processing received
from the first processing section in case that the processing unit
is switched from the first processing unit to the first processing
section.
39. The storage medium according to claim 38, the processing which
performed by the information processing apparatus based on the
program further comprising: a processing which synchronizes data
concerning the application with the server in case that the
processing unit is switched from the first processing unit to the
second processing unit and in case that the processing unit is
switched from the second processing unit to the first processing
unit.
40. The storage medium according to claim 38, a processing which
performed by the information processing apparatus based on the
program further comprising: a processing which is a processing
other than the application and is performed by the first processing
unit in case that the processing unit is switched from the first
processing unit to the second processing unit.
41. A storage medium storing a program which makes an information
processing apparatus, which communicates via a network with a
client terminal including a first processing unit and includes a
first processing section on a second processing unit including a
first processing section and the second processing section,
perform, a processing performed by the information processing
apparatus comprising: a processing which switches a processing unit
which executes an application to either of the first or the second
processing unit based on a direction from the client terminal; and
a processing which transmits a part of a processing to the client
terminal in case that the processing unit is switched from the
first processing unit to the second processing unit.
42. The storage medium according to claim 41, the processing which
performed by the information processing apparatus based on the
program further comprising: a processing which synchronizes data
concerning the application with the client terminal in case that
the processing unit is switched from the first processing unit to
the second processing unit and in case that the processing unit is
switched from the second processing unit to the first processing
unit.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing
apparatus, an information processing system, an information
processing method and a program storage medium.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] As one of information processing systems, there is a system
which communicates between a client terminal and a server. In this
information processing system, a processing system in the client
terminal (for example, a operating system or a middleware) is an
open architecture. As a result, to change of a processing system or
to add an application are easy.
[0003] With such a development of a processing system becoming the
open architecture, it is necessary to protect the processing system
from a malicious third party, and to correct a defect of the
processing system which is an abnormal state. Accordingly, it
becomes necessary for a user to update frequently the processing
system or to reinstall. To update the processing system is
generally performed in the server and the client terminal (for
example, PC (Personal Computer)). At present, also among mobile
terminals (mobile communication terminal, portable terminal) such
as a mobile phone, a terminal of which a processing system is an
open architecture appeared. As for such mobile terminals, there
are, for example, Android of Google Inc. and iPhone of Apple Inc.
Therefore, in the future, it is expected that, even when the mobile
terminal is used as a client terminal, a user needs to update the
processing system.
[0004] In many cases, after updating the processing system or
reinstalling it, it is necessary to restart. Users cannot use the
processing system during the restart. For this reason, there is a
problem that an application which operates based on the processing
system cannot be used either during the restart. In the mobile
terminal, it is desired that a user can always use, in particular,
basic functions such as a telephone function and an electronic mail
function. Therefore, same as the PC or the server, when a need
arises for a user to frequently update the processing system in the
mobile terminal, it increases that the basic function and so on
cannot be used temporarily during the update operation (during
restart). Accordingly, there is a concern that a usability of the
mobile terminal may decline. Further, as the case when the
processing system or the application which operates based on the
processing system cannot be used, in addition to the case when the
processing system is updated or the case when it is reinstalled
mentioned above, for example, there is a case when abnormality
occurs within the processing system or a case when a specific
environment is reached.
[0005] A method to solve such a problem that a function of the
client terminal cannot be used temporarily by updating the
processing system is disclosed, for example, by Japanese Patent
Application Laid-Open No. 2008-210071. In the method, the
processing system becomes redundancy (duplicate) in either one of
the client terminal or the server.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0006] However, in both cases, that is, in a case when the
processing system in the server side becomes redundancy and in a
case when the processing system in the client terminal side becomes
redundancy, there is a following problem.
[0007] In the case when the processing system in the server side
becomes redundancy, a user connects the client terminal to the
server. As the client terminal, for example, there are a VNC
(Virtual Network Computing) client, and a remote connection client
such as a remote desktop (display transmission client). However, in
a configuration of which the processing system becomes redundancy
in the server side, it is assumed that it connects with a network
continuously. For this reason, there is a problem that the user
cannot use the processing system in an environment where the
network cannot be used.
[0008] In the case when the processing system in the client
terminal side becomes redundancy, it is necessary for the client
terminal to include many resources such as memory and hard disk in
order to become redundancy. However, the resource which can be
mounted is restricted for a mobile terminal such as a cellular
phone. For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult to
make the whole processing system become redundancy.
[0009] The present invention has been invented in the circumstances
mentioned above. The main object is to provide an information
processing apparatus, an information processing system, an
information processing method and a program storage medium in which
the application in the client terminal can be used continuously
without being suspended temporarily.
Technical Solution
[0010] An information processing apparatus in the present
invention, as a first aspect, communicates via a network with a
server including a first processing section of second processing
means which includes the first processing section and a second
processing section,
[0011] the information processing apparatus including:
[0012] first processing means; and
[0013] the second processing section, wherein
[0014] the first processing means switches processing means which
executes an application to either of the first or the second
processing means,
[0015] the second processing section executes a processing received
from the first processing section, in case that the processing
means is switched from the first processing means to the first
processing section.
[0016] An information processing apparatus in the present
invention, as a second aspect, communicates via a network with a
client terminal including first processing means, the information
processing apparatus including:
[0017] a first processing section which is included in second
processing means including the first processing section and a
second processing section, wherein
[0018] the first processing section switches processing means which
executes an application to either of the first or the second
processing means based on a direction from the client terminal,
[0019] the first processing section transmits a part of a
processing to the client terminal in case that the processing means
is switched from the first processing means to the second
processing means.
[0020] An information processing system in the present invention
including:
[0021] a client terminal which is the information processing
apparatus as the first aspect of the present invention; and
[0022] a server which is an information processing apparatus as the
second aspect of the present invention.
[0023] An information processing method in the present invention,
in which a client terminal and a server communicate via a network
and the client terminal includes first processing means and a
second processing section which is included second processing means
including a first processing section and the second processing
section and the server includes the first processing section, the
information processing method including:
[0024] switching processing means for executing an application to
either of the first or the second processing means; and
[0025] the second processing section executes a processing received
from the first processing section in case that the processing means
is switched from the first processing means to the first processing
section.
[0026] A storage medium in the present invention, as a first
aspect, stores a program which makes an information processing
apparatus, which communicates via a network with a server including
a first processing section of second processing means including a
first processing section and the second processing section and
includes first processing means and the second processing section,
perform, a processing performed by the information processing
apparatus including:
[0027] a processing which switches processing means which executes
an application to either of the first or the second processing
means; and
[0028] a processing in which the second processing section executes
a processing received from the first processing section in case
that the processing means is switched from the first processing
means to the first processing section.
[0029] A storage medium in the present invention, as a second
aspect, stores a program which makes an information processing
apparatus, which communicates via a network with a client terminal
including first processing means and includes a first processing
section on second processing means including a first processing
section and the second processing section, perform, a processing
performed by the information processing apparatus comprising:
[0030] a processing which switches processing means which executes
an application to either of the first or the second processing
means based on a direction from the client terminal; and
[0031] a processing which transmits a part of a processing to the
client terminal in case that the processing means is switched from
the first processing means to the second processing means.
Advantageous Effects
[0032] According to the present invention, the effect in which the
application in the client terminal can be used continuously without
being suspended temporarily is obtained.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 is a drawing which shows an example of a
configuration of an information processing system according to one
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a sequence chart showing an example of an
operation of the information processing system according to one
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a sequence chart showing an example of an
operation of the information processing system according to one
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A First Exemplary Embodiment
[0036] Hereinafter, an embodiment (exemplary embodiment) for
carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0037] First, an outline of an information processing system in the
first exemplary embodiment will be described. In the information
processing system of the first exemplary embodiment, a client
terminal and a server can communicate with each other. This
information processing system switches an application execution
system from a processing system of the client terminal local to a
processing system of the server main constituent, when an operating
system or a middleware and so on of the client terminal is updated.
The application execution system is the processing system executing
an application in the client terminal.
[0038] A case when this information processing system switches as
mentioned above is a case when an abnormality occurs in the
operating system or the middleware and so on of the client
terminal, or a case when a specific environment (such as position
or time) is reached.
[0039] In this information processing system, by switching the
processing system as mentioned above, the processing system of the
client terminal local will continue to operate in the background.
As a result, the information processing system can process the
application switched from the client terminal in the server, while
performing update processing or recovery processing from the
abnormal state in the client terminal. Also, when switching the
processing system, the information processing system synchronizes
data between the processing systems. Thus, in the information
processing system, the latest data is available even after the
switching.
[0040] Next, a configuration of the information processing system
in the first exemplary embodiment will be described with reference
to FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing system of
the first exemplary embodiment includes a client terminal 100 and a
server 200. The client terminal 100 and the server 200 can
communicate via network 300.
[0041] The client terminal 100 includes a processing system 101 and
a processing system 102. The client terminal 100 is an information
processing apparatus which a user (operator) uses when receiving an
information processing service provided by the processing system
101 or the processing system 102. As the client terminal 100, there
are an electronic apparatus loaded in such as a car, a PC, a mobile
phone, an electronic notepads, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant),
a game machine appliance, a wristwatch, a car navigation system and
so on.
[0042] The server 200 is an information processing apparatus which
provides the information processing service to a user of the client
terminal 100. As the server 200, for example, same as the client
terminal 100, there are an electronic apparatus loaded in such as a
car, a PC, a mobile phone, an electronic notepads, a PDA, a game
machine appliance, a wristwatch, a car navigation system and so
on.
[0043] The client terminal 100 and the server 200 include a CPU
(Central Processing Unit), a memory (for example, ROM (Read Only
Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory)) and a communication device
which are not illustrated. Also, the client terminal 100 and the
server 200 may include one or more of a non-volatile memory device
(for example, hard disk device), an input device (for example,
keyboard, mouse and microphone) and an output device (for example,
display and speaker). The client terminal 100 and the server 200
may include them externally or as built-in.
[0044] In the client terminal 100 and the server 200, by executing
various control programs stored in the memory, the CPU realizes
various functions of the client terminal 100 and the server 200.
Further, the CPU may receive the control programs from other
information processing apparatus via network 300 or may read them
from a storage medium in which the control programs are stored in
advance.
[0045] The network 300 is a communication path which connects the
client terminal 100 and the server 200 so that they can communicate
with each other. The network 300, or at least part of it, may be
configured as a wireless communication path.
[0046] The client terminal 100 includes a processing system 101 as
a first processing system (first processing means (unit))) and a
part (second processing section) of a processing system 102 as a
second processing system (second processing means (unit)). The
server 200 includes a processing system 102 as a main part (first
processing section) of the second processing system. By using
either of the processing system 101 or the processing system 102, a
user can receive the information processing service provided via an
application 140 or an application 240.
[0047] The processing system 101 includes a general-purpose
operating system 130, the application 140, a database 150, a client
synchronization module 160, a switching module 170 and other file
system which is not shown. The application 140 provides a service
to a user. The database 150 stores data concerning the user. The
processing system 101 is a processing system performing all the
processing, which includes displaying for the user, in the client
terminal 100.
[0048] As for the processing system 102, the client terminal 100
includes a part of its elements, and the server 200 includes other
elements. The processing system 102 in the client terminal 100
includes a light client 220. The processing system 102 in the
server 200 includes a general-purpose operating system 230, an
application 240, a database 250, a server synchronization module
260, a light client reception application 270 and other file system
which is not shown. In the processing system 102, the client
terminal 100 and the server 200 are connected with each other via
the light client 220 and the light client reception application 270
respectively. As for the processing system 102, a part of its
processing such as displaying a processing result and receiving a
directions from a user is executed by the client terminal 100.
Other processing of the processing system 102 is executed by the
server 200.
[0049] Switching between the processing system 101 and the
processing system 102 is performed by working with the switching
module 170 and the control system 110 of processing system 101.
Further, the control system 110 can observe and collect
environmental information. Among the environmental information,
there are, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) position,
current time, readable information by short-distance communication
such as a RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and so on.
[0050] In the client terminal 100, the processing system 101 is
usually employed as a processing system (the application execution
system) which executes an application. On the other hand, in the
client terminal 100, for example, when the processing system 101 is
updated or when abnormality occurs to processing system 101, the
application execution system is switched from the processing system
101 to the processing system 102. In this case, the processing
system 101 continuously updates or copes with abnormality in the
background. Also, when the application execution system is switched
from the processing system 101 to the processing system 102, the
processing system 101,102 synchronize data. Thus, the switched
execution processing system can use the latest data.
[0051] Further, as the general-purpose operating system 130 in the
processing system 101, for example, Windows, Linux, Symbian and so
on are used. Also, as the light client 220 in the processing system
102, for example, a VNC client which is a client operating a PC or
a server in a remote location, a remote desktop client and so on
are used. Also, as the light client 220, for example, a browser may
be used.
[0052] Next, an example of operation of the information processing
system in the first exemplary embodiment will be described with
reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. In this description, as an example,
a schedule function will be described. A user refers to schedule
data stored in the database 150 via the application 140 using the
processing system 101 in the client terminal 100. As a result, the
user can read his own schedule contents in the database 150, add or
change the schedule and so on (hereinafter, referred to as a
schedule function). Also, the user refers to schedule data stored
in the database 250 via the application 240 using the processing
system 102 in the client terminal 100 and the server 200. As a
result, the user can read his own schedule contents in the database
250, add or change the schedule and so on (hereinafter, referred to
as a schedule function). In other words, the user can use the
schedule function using either of the processing system 101 or the
processing system 102.
[0053] In this description, it is assumed that the user can use the
schedule function by using the processing system 101 only as the
application execution system. This state is called as a usual
state. In the usual state, the user can use the schedule function
even in a state when the client terminal 100 is not connected with
the network 300.
[0054] In the usual state, the control system 110 of the client
terminal 100 determines whether or not it is necessary to switch
the processing system (Step A1). The control system 110 determines
that it is necessary to switch the processing system, for example,
when the operating system or the middleware and so on is updated or
when abnormality occurs to the operating system or the middleware
and so on. The control system 110 determines that it is necessary
to switch the processing system also when the environmental
information (for example, the position acquired using the GPS or
current time) which the control system 110 is collecting
periodically agrees with a numerical value set in advance.
[0055] In next description, it is assumed that it becomes necessary
to update the general-purpose operating system 130 included in the
processing system 101. According to the first exemplary embodiment,
in such case, the following operation prevents that the user cannot
use temporarily the processing system 101 and the application
140.
[0056] When it becomes necessary to update the general-purpose
operating system 130, the control system 110 determines that it is
necessary to switch the processing system (Step A1/YES). And the
client synchronization module 160 and the server synchronization
module 260 synchronize data (Steps A2 and B1). In this case, the
client synchronization module 160 requests the server
synchronization module 260 to receive data. As a result, a
communication synchronizing data is begun. The client
synchronization module 160 transmits the schedule data stored in
the database 150 to the server synchronization module 260. The
server synchronization module 260 receives the schedule data and
stores it in the database 250. After that, the server
synchronization module 260 notifies the client synchronization
module 160 to have complete the reception. As a result, a
communication synchronizing data ends. In this way, the client
synchronization module 160 and the server synchronization module
260 synchronize data concerning the schedule data stored in the
database 150 and 250 respectively. As a result, a part or all of
the schedule data is kept in the same state in the database 150 and
250.
[0057] Next, the reason why synchronizing data as mentioned above
will be described. In the usual state, the latest schedule data
exists in the database 150 of the client terminal 100. After the
processing system is switched from the processing system 101 to the
processing system 102, the server 200 provides the schedule
function. However, as mentioned above, the latest schedule data
exists in the client terminal 100. Therefore, in order to update
the latest schedule data in the database 250 of the server 200, it
is necessary for the client terminal 100 and the server 200 to
synchronize data mentioned above before the processing system is
switched. That is, by synchronizing data, the server 200 changes
the schedule data the same as the client terminal 100 has changed
the schedule data up to switching the processing system. Thus, the
server 200 is able to use the latest schedule data after
switching.
[0058] After completion of synchronizing data, the client terminal
100 switches from the processing system 101 to the processing
system 102 (Step A3). At this time, the switching module 170
directs the application 140 to end the operation. Also, the light
client 220 transmits a direction to switch to the server 200 via
the network 300. The direction to switch is a direction for
switching the application execution system from the current the
processing system 101 to the processing system 102. In other words,
it is a direction for switching so that the schedule function
provided by the application 140 of the client terminal 100 is to be
provided by the application 240 of the server 200.
[0059] In the server 200, when the light client reception
application 270 receives the direction to switch from the light
client 220, the application 240 begins to provide the schedule
function as the application execution system. As a result, to
switch the processing system finishes. In the case, the user can
use the schedule function by the processing system 102 as the
application execution system while updating the general-purpose
operating system 130 of the processing system 101. This state is
called a switched state. Thus, according to the first exemplary
embodiment, the problem that the user cannot use the application
temporarily due to update the operating system can be
prevented.
[0060] In the processing system 101, to update the general-purpose
operating system 130 is executed in the background after the
processing system is switched (Step A4). In this update, the client
terminal 100 communicates with a server (supplier of a
general-purpose operating system) other than the server 200. Also,
in the foreground in Step A4, the light client 220 and the light
client reception application 270 implement network communication.
As a result, the schedule function provided by the application 240
is realized in the client terminal 100.
[0061] When updating the general-purpose operating system 130 in
the background finishes in the switched state (Step A5/YES), the
control system 110 determines that it is necessary to switch the
processing system again. This switching processing is the
processing which switches the application execution system from the
processing system 102 to the processing system 101.
[0062] The client synchronization module 160 and the server
synchronization module 260 synchronizes data again (Steps A6 and
B2). At this time, the client synchronization module 160 requests
the server synchronization module 260 to transmit data. As a
result, the communication synchronizing data is begun. The server
synchronization module 260 transmits the schedule data stored in
the database 250 to the client synchronization module 160. The
client synchronization module 160 receives the schedule data and
stores the received schedule data in the database 150. After that,
the client synchronization module 160 notifies the server
synchronization module 260 to have complete the reception. As a
result, the communication synchronizing data finishes. In this way,
by the client synchronization module 160 and the server
synchronization module 260 synchronize data, a part or all of the
schedule data is kept in the same state in the database 150 and
250. Therefore, after the application execution system is switched
from the processing system 102 to the processing system 101, the
client terminal 100 can use the latest schedule.
[0063] After completion of synchronizing data, the processing
system is switches from the processing system 102 to the processing
system 101 (Step A7). At this time, the application 140 resumes by
the switching module 170. Also, the light client 220 transmits a
direction to switch to the server 200 via the network 300. The
direction to switch is a direction for switching the application
execution system from the current the processing system 102 to the
processing system 101. In other words, it is a direction for
switching so that the schedule function provided by the application
240 of the server 200 is to be provided by the application 140 of
the client terminal 100. In the server 200, when the light client
reception application 270 receives the direction to switch from the
light client 220, the application 240 suspends providing the
schedule function. As a result, to switch the processing system
finishes. At this time, the user can use the schedule function with
only the processing system 101 as the application execution system.
By the operation mentioned above, the information processing system
returns to the usual state.
[0064] Above is the example of operation in the information
processing system of the first exemplary embodiment. Further, in
the description mentioned above, when the processing system is
switched, the processing systems synchronize data. In contrast,
whenever data is changed, the processing systems may synchronize
data. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operation in this case. In
the FIG. 3, same code is assigned to the same step as the FIG. 2,
and the description about the same step is omitted here. In the
FIG. 3, after switching from the processing system 101 to the
processing system 102 (after Step A3), whenever the database 250 is
changed in the server 200 (Step B3/YES), the server synchronization
module 260 and the client synchronization module 160 synchronize
data (Steps B2 and A6). In other words, after being switched to the
processing system 102, it is supposed that a user changes the
schedule data using the schedule function provided by the
application 240 (step B3/YES). As a result, the changed schedule
data is processed as follows. That is, the changed schedule data is
stored in the database 250 and, at the same time, is transmitted to
the client terminal 100 (Step B2), and is stored in the database
150 (Step A6).
[0065] Further, in the information processing system of the first
exemplary embodiment, the control system 110 may be configured so
that a minimum function required for the processing system 102 such
as a network function may be included. As a result, even in a case
the general-purpose operating system 130 of the processing system
101 cannot be used, the function can be executed with only the
processing system 102 and the control system 110.
[0066] Also, in the information processing system of the first
exemplary embodiment, it is sufficient for the control system 110
to include a function which provides to the processing system 101 a
resource accessing to the client terminal 100 or a minimum function
which controls the processing system 101 and the processing system
102.
[0067] As has been described above, according to the first
exemplary embodiment, the following effect can be achieved.
[0068] A first effect is the effect that, in the case of updating
the operating system of the client terminal or of an abnormality in
the operating system, the processing system for executing an
application can be switched from the processing system of the
client terminal local to the processing system of the server main
constituent and the latest data can be used continuously in the
switched processing system. The reason is because the client
terminal includes two processing systems for executing the
application, and in the case of updating one processing system or
of abnormality, other processing system can be used. Also, when the
processing system is switched, the information processing system
synchronizes data between two processing systems. Accordingly, the
latest data which was being used before switching can be used
continuously also in the processing system after switching.
[0069] A second effect is the effect that, the processing system
which executes an application, after being switched from the
processing system of the client terminal local to the processing
system of the server main constituent, can operate as follows. That
is, while the processing system of the server main constituent
processes, the processing system of the client terminal local can
update or recover an abnormal state in the background. The reason
is because the processing system of the client terminal local and
the processing system of the server main constituent are configured
as independent processing system in a control system.
[0070] A third effect is the effect that, also in the mobile
terminal such as a cellular phone or a PDA in which a resource is
restricted, a redundant system of a system can be configured with
resource saving. The reason is because, the processing system in
the server side of two processing systems in the client terminal
can be a light processing system which inputs and outputs only.
[0071] A fourth effect is the effect that a user can use an
appropriate processing system according to a situation by a control
system switching two processing systems using environmental
information (for example, location information or current time and
so on). For example, a user can use the processing system of the
client terminal local when the user is inside a company, and, can
use the client terminal as a thin client terminal when the user
goes out of the company. The reason is because the control system
can switch the processing system from the processing system of the
client terminal (local) to the processing system of the server main
constituent by utilizing sensor information such as a GPS or a
Felica as a trigger. Also, a user can secure easily security
outside of the company. When switching to the processing system of
the server main constituent, the user may erase data of the client
terminal.
A Second Exemplary Embodiment
[0072] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an
information processing apparatus 10 according to the second
exemplary embodiment. As shown in the FIG. 4, the information
processing apparatus 10 communicates via a network with a server
including a first processing section which is includes in a second
processing system with a second processing section. The information
processing apparatus 10 includes a first processing system 11 and a
second processing section 12. The first processing system 11
switches the application execution system to either of the first or
the second processing system. The second processing section 12
executes a processing received from the first processing section
when the application execution system is switched from the first
processing system to the first processing section.
[0073] As stated above, according to the second exemplary
embodiment, the effect that there are no cases when the application
of the client terminal is suspended temporarily for its use, and
the user can use the client terminal continuously can be
obtained.
[0074] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to the exemplary embodiment above, the present invention
is not limited to the above-mentioned exemplary embodiment. It will
be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various
changes in form and details may be made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by
the claims.
[0075] For example, the operation in the exemplary embodiment
mentioned above may be executed by hardware, software, or a
compound configuration of both of them.
[0076] In a case when is processed by software, a program in which
processing sequence is stored may be installed in a memory in a
computer included in special purpose hardware and executed. Or, the
program may be installed in a general-purpose computer which can
execute various processing and executed.
[0077] For example, the program may be stored in a hard disk or a
ROM (Read Only Memory) as a storage medium in advance. Or, the
program may be stored (recorded) temporarily or permanently in a
removable storage medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only
Memory), an MO (Magneto optical) disk, a DVD (Digital Versatile
Disc), a magnetic disk and a semiconductor memory. Such the
removable storage medium may be provided as so-called packaged
software.
[0078] Further, the program may be installed to the computer from
the removable storage medium mentioned above or may be transmitted
to the computer from a download site by wireless. Or, it may be
transmitted to the computer by a wire via a network such as a LAN
(Local Area Network) or the internet. The computer may receive the
transmitted program and install it in the storage medium such as a
built-in hard disk.
[0079] Also, the system which is described in the exemplary
embodiment mentioned above can be configured so as to process not
only chronologically following the procedure described in the
exemplary embodiment mentioned above, but also in parallel or
separately according to the processing capability of the apparatus
which executes processing or based on the needs.
[0080] Also the system described in the exemplary embodiment
mentioned above may be configured as a logical set of a plurality
of apparatuses or may be configured by intermixing the function of
each apparatus.
[0081] An information processing apparatus of the present invention
is, as a first aspect, an information processing apparatus which is
used as a client terminal including a first processing system and
which communicates via a network with a server including a second
processing system. This information processing apparatus switches
the application execution system from the first processing system
to the second processing system, and switches the application
execution system from the second processing system to the first
processing system.
[0082] The information processing apparatus of the present
invention is, as a second aspect, the information processing
apparatus which is used as a server including the second processing
system, and which communicates via a network with a client terminal
including the first processing system. This information processing
apparatus switches the application execution system from the first
processing system to the second processing system, and switches the
application execution system from the second processing system to
the first processing system based on a direction from the client
terminal.
[0083] An information processing system of the present invention
includes the information processing apparatus which is the first
aspect of the present invention as a client terminal and includes
the information processing apparatus which is the second aspect of
the present invention as a server.
[0084] An information processing method of the present invention is
the information processing method in which a client terminal
including the first processing system and a server including the
second processing system communicate via a network; and switches
the application execution system from the first processing system
to the second processing system, or switches the application
execution system from the second processing system to the first
processing system.
[0085] A program of the present invention is, as a first aspect, a
program for a client terminal which includes the first processing
system and communicates via a network with a server including the
second processing system. This program makes a computer execute a
processing which switches the application execution system from the
first processing system to the second processing system or a
processing which switches the application execution system from the
second processing system to the first processing system.
[0086] A program of the present invention is, as a second aspect, a
program for a server which includes the second processing system
and communicates via a client terminal including the first
processing system. This program makes a computer execute a
processing which switches the application execution system from the
first processing system to the second processing system or a
processing which switches the application execution system from the
second processing system to the first processing system based on a
direction from the client terminal.
[0087] Further, this application is based upon and claims the
benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No.
2009-036483, filed on Feb. 19, 2009, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0088] The present invention can be applied to an apparatus, a
device, a system, a method and a program and so on which need to
switch a main constituent which executes an application according
to the case.
EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES
[0089] 100 client terminal, 101 processing system (first processing
system), 102 processing system (second processing system), 110
control system, 130 general-purpose operating system, 140
application, 150 database, 160 client synchronization module, 170
switching module, 200 server, 220 light client, 230 general-purpose
operating system, 240 application, 250 database, 260 server
synchronization module, 300 network
* * * * *